Hungary confirms intent to bus migrants to Brussels News
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Hungary confirms intent to bus migrants to Brussels

Hungary on Friday confirmed its intention to send migrants to Brussels in protest of European Union (EU) rules on accepting asylum seekers. Rétvári Bence, Hungary’s deputy minister of interior, held a press conference flanked by buses to affirm the country’s plan to provide free fare for migrants on the bus route to the EU’s capital.

This move is the latest in a long disagreement between Hungary and the EU over asylum seekers. Several days ago, Hungary missed the first deadline for its payment of €200 million over violations of EU refugee regulations; Hungary has been a vocal opponent of EU laws requiring nations to accept refugees and asylum seekers. Just after Bence announced the bussing plan, Prime Minister Viktor Orbán, posted to X (formerly Twitter): 

This Summer has proved that #migration is tearing the European Union apart. Let Hungary and others have an opt-out of the common migration policy!

Hungary introduced its plan to bus migrants to Brussels in August, after it was ordered to pay the €200 million fine. According to Bence, Hungary is now close to implementing that plan. He said that Hungary’s fight against migrants has always been about national security, stating, “we want to protect the border, we want to protect Hungary security.”

However, political goals seem also to partially underlie the scheme. In both the initial announcement and Bence’s confirmation, speakers have emphasized a desire to make Brussels responsible for its migration policy. For example, Bence stated, “If Brussels wants more migrants, they can get them.” This emphasizes a populist narrative that Brussels is out of touch with European countries.

The EU has yet to officially issue a response to Hungary’s bussing strategy.

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